Alabama

FILE -- USA President Gordon Moulton examines the largest of the tower bells on the campus of the University of South Alabama Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. The bells were unveiled near the construction site of the University of South Alabama's new bell tower, which was named the Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower by USA Board of Trustees in September. The four bronze bells range in size from 600 pounds to more than one ton and will be installed in the 130-foot tall tower later this month. (File Photo/al.com)

A community-wide
memorial service will be held on the University of South
Alabama campus Wednesday, Oct. 2, for USA President Emeritus Gordon
Moulton, whose career spanned most of the University's first half-century
and culminated with 15 years as USA's president.

The memorial is set for 4
p.m. in the Mitchell Center arena on campus, and Geri Moulton will receive
guests immediately following at the same location.
Moulton, 73, lost his year-long battle with cancer on Saturday, Sept. 28,
at his home in Daphne.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative at the University of South Alabama, in care of the USA Office of University Development, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile, AL 36688-0002; e-mail: development@southalabama.edu.

"President Gordon Moulton was a longtime visionary leader of the
University
of South Alabama and was highly respected in the higher education
community, the city and the state," said Dr. John W. Smith, USA acting
president. "He touched countless lives through his tireless,
dedicated
service.

He was a trusting friend, colleague, mentor and leader.
Our
prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Geri, and their families, as we
mourn his passing and celebrate his life."
"It was President John Quincy Adams who said 'If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a
leader.' Truly, Gordon Moulton fit that description as the leader of the
University of South Alabama," said Dr. Steven P. Furr, chair pro tempore
of
the USA Board of Trustees and a USA graduate. "With his nearly five
decades of service to the University, he had no equal in knowing our past,
understanding our present, and charting the course for our future.

He
leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten and will always be
inspiring."
"Gordon Moulton's transformational leadership of the University of South
Alabama will leave an everlasting impact on the University, the state, our
region and beyond," said James A. Yance, a USA graduate who was chair pro
tempore of the USA Board of Trustees when Moulton retired as USA president
on July 1.

"With Gordon's bold vision and boundless determination,
the
University of South Alabama has achieved far beyond what many believed
possible, and he has prepared the way for even greater accomplishments to
come. He was a dear and faithful friend of mine for 45 years and will be
missed by all."

"In 15 years as president, Moulton transformed the University into one of
the nation's finest educational institutions, a community partner that sets
the tone of excellence, and he has created an economic development engine
at the University that provides countless jobs and resources for citizens
throughout Mobile and the region," said USA trustee and Mobile Mayor Sam
Jones.

"The true measure of a great university is ultimately demonstrated through
the accomplishments and recognition of its graduates and the contributions
of its faculty through the creation of new knowledge and ideas," Moulton
said upon his retirement in July.

"The quality of the faculty, the staff and the students in any institution
ultimately drives this outcome, and I have been privileged to work with the
very best.
"We're a comprehensive University with a huge public service mission, much
of which is associated with our hospitals and clinics. Those employees each
day focus on the excellent care and treatment of thousands of patients and
the easing of disease.

"It has been highly satisfying and a privilege to be a part of an
institution that, through its teaching, research, service and health care
missions, has made and will forever continue to make a remarkable positive
impact on the quality of life of countless people."
A Donalsonville, Ga., native, Moulton earned his bachelor's degree in
industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his
master's degree in business administration from Emory University.

In 1966, at age 26, Moulton joined the faculty of the brand-new USA College
of Business. Possessing the versatility needed by the University in its
early years, Moulton established the department of computer and information
sciences, and later served as founding dean of USA's School of Computer and
Information Sciences (now the School of Computing). He served as director
of computer services, dean of administrative services and a 15-year
appointment as vice president for services and planning. He served as
president of the University from 1998 to 2013 and was the second president
in USA's 50-year history.
During Moulton's presidency, USA:

* Grew in enrollment by a third to a record 15,000.

* Nearly doubled the number of degrees awarded to 75,000.

* Quadrupled its scholarship program and created the University

Honors Program.

* Expanded its academic reputation and degree programs.

* Implemented student life enhancements including football and

marching band and new recreation, dining and housing facilities.

* Completed more than a half-billion dollars in construction,

supporting every mission of the University.

* Expanded health care through creation of the USA Mitchell Cancer

Institute and a major addition to USA Children's and Women's Hospital,

complementing efforts of the USA Medical Center and the physicians and

professionals of the USA Health System, who treat more than 250,000 area

citizens annually.

* Initiated the first comprehensive fundraising campaign at USA,

generating more than $93.5 million to support all missions of the

University.

* Became one of Mobile's most powerful economic drivers, employing

more than 5,600 people, and adding $2 billion annually to the area economy.

* Doubled its contract and grant research program, achieving the

same Carnegie research ranking as Auburn University and the University of

Alabama.

* Created the USA Technology and Research Park, employing 600

private sector professionals.

* Made numerous enhancements to the art, history and culture of the

Mobile region.

One of the most visible transformations at the University during

Moulton's 47-year tenure has been an ambitious $500 million building

program to provide a state-of-the-art atmosphere for learning, and to

enhance the quality of student life.

Highlights of campus improvements during the Moulton administration include:

* USA Mitchell Cancer Institute

* USA Children's & Women's Hospital Expansion

* Student Recreation Center

* Shelby Hall (Engineering and Computing Sciences)

* Health Sciences Building (Nursing and Pat Capps Covey College of

Allied Health Professions)

* Mitchell Center Arena

* Meisler Hall student services building

* University Library addition

* Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza

* Faculty Club

* Specialized Laboratory Building

* Stanky Field Renovation

* Laidlaw Performing Arts Center (Dramatic Arts and Music)

* Mitchell College of Business Renovation

* Joseph & Rebecca Mitchell Learning Resource Center

* JagTran Campus Transit System

* Geri Moulton Children's Park

* Alfred and Lucile Delchamps Archaeology Building

* USA Baldwin County College of Nursing Complex

* Student Dining Facility

* Living-Learning Residence Halls, including Stokes Hall

* Campus Entry Portals

* Intramural Fields and Fieldhouse

* Football Fieldhouse and Practice Fields

* Marching Band Practice Field

* Multi-Use Facility - Track, Softball, Soccer

* Bookstore Renovation

* Student Center Bookstore Mall

* Student Center Renovation

* Renovation of PE Building and Old Recreation Center

* Glass Arts Building

* Sorority and Fraternity Houses

In addition to 47 years of service, the Moultons have supported USA with
more than $7 million in gifts toward numerous institutional priorities,
including the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, Moulton Tower and Alumni
Plaza, Geri Moulton Children's Park at USA Children's and Women's Hospital,
student scholarships, faculty support, USA's creative writing program,
athletics and many others.

Moulton's contributions have been widely praised by the community. He was
awarded the Civitan Mobilian of the Year award in 2002, and the Moultons'
service was forever commemorated in 2009 with the naming by USA's Board of
Trustees of the new landmark Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni
Plaza.

At USA's 50th Anniversary celebration in May, Mobile philanthropist Abraham
Mitchell honored Moulton through the creation of the Mitchell-Moulton
Scholarship Initiative, an academic scholarship program funded by a $50
million gift to the University by Mitchell and representing the largest
gift ever to an Alabama public university by an individual donor.
Moulton is survived by his wife, Geri (Shelley); a brother, Charles (Rita)
Moulton, Albany, Ga.; and a sister, Anne Odom (Donald), Donalsonville, Ga.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and John Curtis Moulton.